Traveling by canal in Bangkok

After all this time traveling to work on the canal I think that this may be the first time I have stood and read this sign?

1) Please follow any instructions provided by Marine Department's staff stationed at the piers -
and if you don't know the language?
2) Avoid traveling by boat when carrying too much stuff
3) When getting on the boat look for the life-savingappliances first - 
and if you can't find it?
4) Do not wait on the pontoon, you may lose your balance as it is hit by waves.
5) Crowded passengers on the pier may cause an accident
6) Get on/off the boat one by one at a time to avoid the accident.
7) Take care of your children while on board at all times.
8) Always check that safety and life-saving appliances are in good condition and ready for use - 
how do you do that?
9) Do not pass in front of another boat in a short range. Stay away at a distance of 200 meters according to law - 
but the river taxi can?
10) Boats and piers must be equipped with a complete set of safety and life-saving appliances at all times -
oh yes there are some...
11) Marine Department is always pleased to give advice and provide information to boatmen, passengers and the general public.

I imagine that it's all okay then...

     

Jim Thompson and Tigers

I was recently leaving the airport when I was reading all of the big signs.

This was one of them. Personally I do not know why the company needed a tiger in this piece of advertising.

What do you think?

February - You know you have lived in Thailand when...

Rainbow cheese is something you try and don't question what it is...

After moving to Bangkok I have become aware of things which are now normal to me because I live here – and subsequently a facebook site about this “You Know You've Lived In Thailand when.....” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/YouKnowYouveLivedinThailandwhen/   

so once a month I will contribute to this.

Nai Lert Flower and Garden Art Fair (2)

After looking at #Instagram I simply had to return to see these little teddy bears!

I am happy that the office is only over the road so I popped in for a coffee at Lady L - and I was astonished that there were so many people there.

Looking at the wrist band that I got there today was number 538. There were also a great many people taking photographs - I wonder if there is a # to recommend?

I was going to go inside the building but it was so busy - i decided to go for a walk - then it looked like it might rain and I certainly did not want to be caught in the rain...

Nai Lert Flower and Garden Art Fair

WOW - “Unveil the biggest Flower Carpet in Asia” 

The Nai Lert Park Heritage Home (http://www.nailertparkheritagehome.com)  was the focus for this plethora of color and flowers - wonderful.

 The Flower Carpet was certainly the ‘jewel in the crown’ here – totally wonderful magnificent - I would have like the sun to be higher so there was no shade so I might go back again. I did meet the designer - https://www.instagram.com/sakchaiguy/.

As I waited for the sun to go up I wandered throughout all the other exhibits - and there were a lot of them.I did visit the Chao Mae Tuptim shrine and was pleased that everything was not adorned as might have been...  

Then there was the entrance for Siam Emporium.

I did like the lotus in the pond though.

There was a display of an ear... not sure it it had anything to do with the show? 

Would have loved to have sat outside in the garden with a coffee - maybe an idea for next time?

I wonder whether the motorbikes are always there?

 

Super Blue Blood Moon in Bangkok

Did you manage to see the Super Blue Blood Moon last night?

Wat Arun photo courtesy of Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters.

Here is an article of a collection of images around the world - https://uk.news.yahoo.com/super-blue-blood-moon-2018-172910838.html

Well I tried to take some more but they were not as good as watching it - did you?

Banning smoking on beaches in Thailand

 Did you know, the number one source of litter on beaches in Thailand are cigarette butts? 

This is one of the reasons that smoking is being banned from Thursday 1st of February...

Do you think that it will work?

Harry Potter is in Bangkok

Hello Hogsmeade! Harry Potter's Wizarding World comes to Bangkok at the Siam Paragon. We had to make a visit - we have read all the books and seen the films more than once!

We arrived as Siam Paragon was opening and we went immediately to the first floor - there was more Harry Potter outside when we visited at Christmas so there was only approximately 10 people in front of us.

We entered after circling once and a photograph taken of us dressed up in wizarding attire.

We saw some displays which made us smile, noticing that there was from 'Fantastic Beasts' there as well. We quickly recognised that it was a small round area with things linked to Harry Potter for sale.

Then we were ushered into a small room where we were heard a short story about the wands being missing and we had to wish to find it and when we did it snowed on us.

In short if you like Harry Potter than make a short trip here.

 

Using your telephone

How many people do you see using their phone whilst walking or something else?

Here's a video of some of them...

Raining in Bangkok

So it's raining today!

And don't we know it - in 30minutes the closest part of Wireless Road is flooded and it's not just rainwater - my nose told me...

Not sure that I am getting any coffee today...

Thailand Tourism Festival 2018

This was a Festival that I knew very little about until I heard about it from a colleague and found out further information from Richard Barrow - thank you (again).

The 38th Thailand Tourism Festival will be held from 17 to 21 January 2018 at Lumpini Park in Bangkok, showcasing amazing attractions and fascinating culture from all corners of the Kingdom.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites local and international tourists to discover the Kingdom’s amazing attractions at the Thailand Tourism Festival 2018 (TTF 2018), to be held in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park from 17 to 21 January. - courtesy of Sabai Thailand Magazine.

Lumpini park was near the office so I visited early in the morning last week and it was busy with people on an early morning stroll / exercise and it was really quite serene. Today it was something completely different!

I needed a map to get round all of this and I still don't think that I did!

Zone 1: Follow in the King's Footsteps - art of science of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Zone 2: Domestic Travel Products and information

Zone 3: Discover Thainess in 5 regions

- Northern Village with King Bhumiblol Adulyadej's 'Sufficiency Economy Philosophy', information about local hill tribes and Noi Tung Coffee Shops (I loved it here)

- North Eastern Village sharing with us a refreshed image

- Central Village with a temple fair, traditional Thai house and Thai handicraft workshops

- Southern Thai Village with beaches, local communities, preservation of old towns and a blossoming food culture

The Eastern Village with a 'Shades of Eastern Theme'

The cultural processions begins at 5pm each day - but music is played all day in each region - it certainly was fun trying to get round them all...

Zone 4: Unique Culinary Delights Zone - offering food from Bangkok's 50 districts and Thailand's 5 regions, cooking demonstrations and much more to taste. There was certainly a lot of food but I got lost so I could not get back to where I wanted to...

Zone 5: Main stage Zone - where the opening ceremony was and performances - was not used when I was there.

Zone 6: TAT studio - sharing with us the work by the TAT

Zone 7: Outdoor Fest Zone - adventure tourism - there wasn't a zip line but a lot more and food!

Zone 8: TAT Lab - products and activities for seniors 

Zone 9: CSR -'Trash to Treasure' - to raise ecological awareness, happy to see the company I bought my food from used a biodegradable box - not regular in Thailand yet.

Zone 10: Pracharath Zone - collaboration with companies and there were a lot of them but the dinosaurs around here were most popular with the kids!

So come hungry and there's a lot to eat and drink and come late if you want to see the shows.